“Ma’am. I have a report regarding significant changes observed in the Demon Forest.”
“Please, ＜Ringo＞.”
The top six AIs, excluding Asahi, and Commander (Eve) gathered in the dining hall for the observation report on the Demon Forest.
Asahi seemed to be occupied with something in Telek Port City.
“Akane has been analyzing the information. Would it be alright for her to present the report?”
“Of course, that’s fine. Akane, please go ahead.”
“Understood.”
Akane, positioned next to her sister (Eve), remotely manipulated the projected images, displaying the analysis results.
“First, what we’ve confirmed over the past month is a change in the Wyverns’ activity range in the Demon Forest around the Afrasia United Kingdom.”
Image analysis revealed that the patrol airspace of multiple Wyverns was changing daily.
“It is presumed that the adjacent Wyverns are attempting to advance into the territory of the Wyvern we recently subjugated, as it has become a vacant area.”
“I see… Well, if they’re that big, their territory would be correspondingly large. And their movement speed is fast too.”
The estimated fluctuation of territory for Wyverns or large flying creatures is expected to continue for at least several months. The impact on the ground is unknown, but it’s unlikely to be nonexistent.
“Also, what has changed significantly in the last few days is the Fairy Circle that has appeared in the vacant territory.”
“Fairy Circle?”
Akane displayed a circular vacant area that had suddenly appeared in the forest. Multiple instances of it were confirmed.
“These circular vacant areas have appeared in about two weeks. We checked other forest areas and found that the few confirmed instances were all around the borders of territories between Wyverns or large flying creatures.”
“So, does this mean it occurred because the territory became vacant?”
Akane nodded at Eve’s words and displayed another image.
“I’ve enlarged and digitally processed the image. Are you okay with bugs, Onee-sama?”
“Bugs? …Hmm, I think so?”
Confirming that response, the rough image switched to a clear one.
What was shown was a green-based caterpillar. With brown accents, it seemed to blend well into the forest.
“… . Isn’t that, like, huge?”
“Yes. According to calculations, it’s about 6 meters long. This Fairy Circle is occurring because this bug is eating the trees in the forest.”
Damage from an ultra-giant caterpillar. Certainly, a 6-meter-long caterpillar could devour even thick trunks without any problems.
“And this is what this caterpillar looks like after it molts. A butterfly-like Threat Creature about 10 meters long.”
This time, it was footage of a giant butterfly flapping its wings and flying over the forest. Because it was taken from a satellite, it was difficult to understand without a size reference, but it was definitely large.
“It is thought to be a prey target within the territory of large flying creatures. Outside the territory, it becomes an adult in less than a month. This individual molted in the vacant territory. It is thought that it will take several months for Wyverns to advance into this area, so this Threat Creature may proliferate greatly.”
The radius of the Fairy Circle that one caterpillar damages is about 100 meters. With this giant body, it would have few natural enemies.
It is unknown how many eggs one adult lays, but if it is the same as a typical butterfly, hundreds of eggs will be laid at once.
If that happens in a state where there are no natural enemies, the surrounding area may turn into a bald mountain all at once.
“Hmm… Is this going to be the first step in ecological destruction?”
“I don’t know. It is possible that the Wyverns’ advancement speed will increase as this Threat Creature visibly increases. If so, they may be hunted to extinction and return to normal. There is also the possibility that Wyverns will breed as food increases. We can’t predict it due to lack of data.”
Currently, ＜The Tree＞ is trying to investigate the Demon Forest, based in North End City, the northernmost city in the Afrasia United Kingdom.
If the investigation is affected, some measures must be taken.
“We are ready to immediately deploy aerial support. It is necessary to fly at low altitude so as not to enter the alert range of large flying creatures. Support weapons powered by ducted fans are also scheduled to be deployed.”
It has also been found that Wyverns can detect Electromagnetic Waves, so radar waves cannot be emitted carelessly. Microwave power supply to the Demon Forest should also be avoided.
Therefore, all flying machines dispatched to the Demon Forest use chemically reactive power.
Internal combustion engines or Fuel Cells.
Fuel Cells have the problem of shortening the cruising range, but they are excellent in terms of quietness.
Care must also be taken to avoid stimuli caused by sound.
“Also, Cosmos is designing and manufacturing ground exploration machines locally.”
Akane displayed a Multi-legged Machine with a total length of about 2 meters. A bizarre machine equipped with four Legs for movement and two-armed manipulators.
There was no part corresponding to the head, and Legs extended from the lower part of the small torso, and arms extended from the upper part.
It seemed to be specialized for traversing unpaved forest areas, and the scene showed it skillfully using its four Legs and two arms to move smoothly through the trees.
“… . Won’t it be mistaken for a new type of Monster? Is it okay?”
“It will not approach the activity area of Adventurers. If it is necessary to cooperate with Adventurers, Doll Machines (Communicators) will be used as before. This is intended to explore the depths in teams of multiple machines.”
The armament of this 4-Legged 2-Armed Machine is a Coilgun and a metal mace. Gunpowder-based guns are not used because they are too loud. Axe-like blades were also considered, but in the end, striking weapons were chosen for their ease of maintenance and handling.
“However, it is easy to change weapons in the future with manipulators. Also, it is assumed that the control AI is placed on a Backpacker, and all of these machines are remotely controlled. The control part is externalized to make it smaller and lighter.”
The idea is to operate multiple slave units, centered on a Backpacker.
The Backpacker advances while creating a path, and the slave units explore the surroundings and ensure safety.
By the way, the Backpacker mentioned here is a heavily armed version of the one operating in North End City.
Along with that, the total length has been extended by about 1 meter, and the appearance has become more aggressive.
“Also, we plan to provide support to local Adventurers in the sense of simply increasing manpower, or rather, not destroying their source of income.”
Adventurers who belong to North End City and bring back resources from the Demon Forest.
＜The Tree＞ is carefully proceeding with the exploration project so as not to threaten their livelihood.
There is also the purpose of collecting the knowledge and experience of the Adventurers.
“We will dispatch a combination of Backpackers and Doll Machines (Communicators) to a certain depth and maintain a simple base. It will be used as a base camp, and we are considering opening a material purchasing station to support the transportation of goods and personnel between the camps by Backpackers.”
The optimal point is determined from the Adventurers’ activity history, and an advance base is established.
It will be opened as a base camp to extend exploration time and distance.
“It’s like an exploration strategy game, it’s interesting.”
And that was Eve’s perception.
However, the establishment of a base camp will dramatically expand the range of activities for Adventurers.
It’s not that there haven’t been such ideas before. However, it was not possible to secure the personnel and equipment to maintain the base, and there was a limit to the transportation of goods.
In fact, when this plan was brought to the Adventurer’s Guild, they were reluctant.
It may be possible temporarily, but it cannot be maintained.
However, by understanding the equipment of the Backpacker, and above all, the high athletic ability of the Doll Machine (Communicator) (from their point of view, the excellence of the ＜Paraiso＞ personnel), they are becoming enthusiastic about setting up a base camp.
They have even started selecting permanent personnel.
“I wonder if the magic research will progress as well.”